Giorgio Napolitano elected Italian president - Wikinews, the free news source Giorgio Napolitano elected Italian president From Wikinews, the free news source you can write! Share this: This page has been automatically archived by a robot, and is no longer publicly editable. Got a correction? Add the template {{ editprotected }} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators . Please note that the listed sources may no longer be available online. The new President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano The Italian Parliament in unified session elected Giorgio Napolitano the new President of the Italian Republic on May 10th. Napolitano, 80, was elected on the fourth ballot with 543 valid votes (the threshold to win the election was 505). The number of great electors (the Parliamentarians of both houses and the regional delegates) present was 1,000, of which 990 voted. The election process started on May 8th, but no winner emerged from the previous three ballots, which required a two-thirds supermajority.

Italian parliamentary rules allow a simple majority from the fourth ballot onward. Other candidates who received more than two votes were Umberto Bossi (42), Massimo D'Alema (10), Giuliano Ferrara (7), Gianni Letta (6), Silvio Berlusconi (5), Roberto Dipiazza (3) and Sergio Pininfarina (3). There were 347 blank ballots, along with 14 votes of "null" and 10 vote that went to candidates who only received two votes or fewer. Italy was in an unusual political situation in which the term of outgoing President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was due to expire as the new center-left government led by Prime Minister Romano Prodi needed to be appointed. Prodi's coalition won the election of April 9-10, defeating the government of Berlusconi. It was not known if the President of the Republic was to be elected first or if the old President was still able to assign the role of Prime Minister. It was decided, after the election of the two Presidents of the Senate and the House of Parliament, to elect the new President of the Republic first.

Ciampi's term expires on May 18, but he has agreed to resign on May 15 before Napolitano's inauguration. Napolitano is the first person to be elected President of the Republic who previously was a member of the Italian Communist Party . This audio file was created from the text revision dated 2006-05-13 and may not reflect subsequent text edits to this report. ( audio help ) Giorgio Napolitano elected Italian president Imagine Your Byline Here - Click Here To Write For BNN Giorgio Napolitano elected Italian president The Italian Parlament in unified session elected Giorgio Napolitano the new President of the Italian Republic on May 10th. Napolitano, 80, was elected on the fourth ballot with 543 valid votes (the threshold to win the elction was 505). The number of great electors (the Parlamentarians of both houses and the regional delgates) present was 1,000, of which 990 voted.

The election process started on May 8th, but no winner emerged from the previous three ballots, which required a two-thirds supermajority. Italian parliamentary rules allow a simple majority from the fourth ballot onward. Other candidates who received more than two votes were Umberto Bossi (42), Massimo D'Alema (10), Giuliano Ferrara (7), Gianni Letta (6), Silvio Berlusconi (5), Roberto Dipiazza (3) and Sergio Pininfarina (3). There were 347 blank ballots, along with 14 votes of "null" and 10 vote which went to candidates who only received two votes or fewer. Italy was in an unusual political situation in which the term of outgoing President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was due to expire as the new center-left goverment led by Prime Minister Romano Prodi needed to be appointed. Prodi's coalition won the election of April 9-10, defeating the government of Berlusconi. It was not known if the President of the Republic was to be elected first or if the old President was still able to assign the role of Prime Minister.

It was decided, after the election of the two Presidents of the Senate and the House of Parlament, to elect the new President of the Republic first. Ciampi's term expires on May 18, but he has agreed to resign on May 15 before Napolitano's inauguration. Napolitano is the first person to be elected President of the Republic who previously was a member of the Italian Communist Party . Sources Giorgio Napolitano is elected president of the Italian Republic with only the votes of the grand electors of the left The European Elections Monitor Italy - Presidential Election Giorgio Napolitano is elected president of the Italian Republic with only the votes of the grand electors of the left Giorgio Napolitano is elected president of the Italian Republic with only the votes of the grand electors of the left 15/05/2006 - Results A month after the much disputed general and senatorial elections won by a narrow margin by the leftwing forces led by Romano Prodi Italy was again the focus of attention with the election of its President by a college of grand electors rallying MPs, senators and representatives from the country's regions.

This election which witnessed the victory of the candidate presented by the leftwing coalition did not help in bringing a country divided after the parliamentary elections back together again. This election was awaited with even greater anticipation since Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President in office, had decided to allow his successor to appoint the future President of the Council. The President of the Republic occupies an essentially honorary position in Italy. He is the guarantor of the country's unity and yet he does have two important roles to play: that of dissolving Parliament and of referring a law back to MPs and senators for two reasons (if he believes that the text is unconstitutional or if he believes there is insufficient funding for it). Carlo Azeglio Ciampi employed this latter power in 2003 against a law on the concentration of the media and in 2004 against a reform of the legal system. The President of the Republic is also head of the Council of the Magistrature thereby enabling him to define legal priorities. He is elected for seven years by a college of 1010 grand electors: 630 members of the Chamber of Representatives, 322 senators and 58 representatives of 20 of the country's regions.

During the first three rounds a candidate must win two thirds of the votes i.e. 674 in order to be elected. From the fourth round on only the simple majority is required. Tradition requires that the President of the Republic be a man of consensus who lies above the political parties. He unifies people beyond the parties and very often rallies the suffrage of the greater majority of the grand electors to his name. Former governor of the Italian Central Bank, former Minister of the Treasury and the Budget in Romano Prodi's government (1996-1998) the extremely popular Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who in 1999, was elected in the first round winning 707 out of 990 votes, for a seven year period was the perfect symbol of a President; he was independent and able to unify the Italians. However Ciampi now 85 gave up the idea of standing again saying to a number of people both on the left and right who wanted him to undertake another term in office: "Not one of the nine previous Presidents of the Republic has ever been re-elected. I believe that it has become an important custom. It is better not to break from that.

I believe the renewal of a long term in office such as this seven year one is poorly adapted to the republican nature of our country." On 4th May last Romano Prodi and Silvio Berlusconi met for the first time since the victory on the part of the left coalition in the elections on 9th and 10th April. "A first meeting which was long and cordial," according to the winner. The leftwing coalition decided to put forward Massimo d'Alema, president of the Left Democrats (DS), as candidate for the supreme office. This choice was immediately rejected by the opposition which believed this "an indecent proposal" in the words of Silvio Berlusconi who accused Massimo d'Alema of having been a member of the Communist Party (PCI) a party from which the Left Democrats emerged. The former President of the Council declared: "When we talk of the President of the Republic it must be someone who is the guarantor of the Constitution, the flag and the unity of Italy. It must be someone able to provide all the parties guarantees of total impartiality.

Negotiations are possible but we should decide whether Italy is still a democracy or whether it is slipping dangerously towards a dictatorship." The rightwing put forward other "acceptable" personalities from the left who might have met with their approval such as Giuliano Amato former President of the Council (1992-1993 and 2000-2001) and former member of the Socialist Party, and Lamberto Dini (Daisy Alliance) former President of the Council (1995-1996), and even Franco Marini (Daisy Alliance), who has just been elected president of the Senate. Silvio Berlusconi denounced "the Communist occupation of power" if a candidate were to be elected simply by the votes from the parties on the left.. "If we no longer feel represented, if we are no longer in the institutions we shall undertake a fiscal strike and we shall obstruct Parliament. And I can promise that I shall personally lead the opposition as never seen before in Italy," he declared.

"Il Cavaliere", the outgoing President of the Council's nickname also did not appear ready to accept a personality from the left as candidate going as far as saying: "I believe that by putting forward a leftwing politician to become President of the Republic is almost tantamount to a red alert for democracy." The Catholic Church also revealed its hostility to the candidature of Massimo d'Alema and proposed Mario Monti, former European Commissioner for Competition (1999-2004). Romano Prodi's choice of Massimo d'Alema can be explained by the fact that the party, albeit the largest in the leftwing coalition was somewhat forgotten during the distribution of positions after the general and senatorial elections. For its part the rightwing coalition put forward 69 year old Gianni Letta, advisor to the outgoing Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. Leaders of the majority and the opposition met again on 7th may to try and come to an agreement on the name of the candidate of consensus.

At this meeting were Gianfranco Fini the leader of the National Alliance (AN), Pier Ferdinandi Casini of the Union of Centre Democrats (UDC), Gianni Letta, advisor to Silvio Berlusconi, Francesco Rutelli, leader of the Daisy Alliance; Piero Fassino, Secretary General of the Left Democrats and Rocardo Levi, advisor to Romano Prodi. The leftwing coalition then put forward Giorgio Napolitano to stand for the supreme office, a lifelong senator and also member of the Left Democrats. The first round of the election for which a candidate must win two thirds of the vote of the grand electors took place on 8th May. Romano Prodi called on the grand electors of the leftwing coalition to return a blank vote, a procedure often used during the first rounds when there is no agreement on a candidate on the part of either side of the political scale. 438 representatives followed this advice; Gianni Letta won 369 votes and Massimo d'Alema 27. Neither of them was therefore elected. More than 150 grand electors did not follow the advice and voted for other people.

Hence Silvio Berlusconi won two votes, Cesare Previti, MP and the Cavaliere's lawyer at present in prison and accused of corrupting magistrates, won three votes. Two more rounds of voting took place on 9th May. The leftwing coalition again called for the return of a blank vote, so its candidate again would not appear as the one from just one camp and hoping that the rightwing parties would manage to overcome their divisions with regard to the candidature of Giorgio Napolitano. Indeed within the opposition the Union of Centre Democrats and some of the representatives of the National Alliance were in favour of Giorgio Napolitano. However the Northern League and Forza Italia, the party of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi were against this candidature. The first three rounds of the vote did not enable the election of a President of the Republic. Finally on 10th May the leftwing candidate Giorgio Napolitano was elected by a simple majority winning 542 votes ie one vote more than those of the 541 representatives of the Unione. The House of Freedom called on its representatives to return a blank vote.

This advice was followed by 347 of them, with 70 representatives voting in favour of other rightwing candidates. The election of Giorgio Napolitano was however applauded by the members of the Union of Centre Democrats and some of those from the National Alliance. "I congratulate Giorgio Napolitano and we hope he will fulfil the role that the Constitution grants him with impartiality. But this majority does not correspond with how the Italians voted," declared Silvio Berlusconi whilst Romano Prodi maintained that Giorgio Napolitano would be a President for all Italians. Aged nearly 81, the man who is nicknamed the "Red Prince" was born in Naples in 1925. After the Second World War he joined the Communist Party. Elected as an MP in 1953 he has always featured amongst the moderates in his party. Former president of the Chamber of Representatives, he was Home Minister in the government led by Romano Prodi (1996-1998), then MEP (1999-2004).

In 2005, he was appointed lifelong senator by his predecssor Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in return for the services given to the State. He is the first former Communist to reach the highest position in the State. The President's first task when he has been sworn in on 15th May will be to appoint Romano Prodi and President of the Council. "I think that I shall be sworn in on Tuesday evening or Wednesday. I shall be ready when the time comes. I shall not be late," declared Romano Prodi. But Napolitano will need all of his experience to work on the first priority during his term in office: help in bringing a country that has been severely divided back together again. Publishing Director: Pascale JOANNIN The Powers & Election of the President of Italy - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com The Powers & Election of the President of Italy Watch short & fun videos Start Your Free Trial Today An error occurred trying to load this video. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. You must create an account to continue watching Register for a free trial Are you a student or a teacher?

I am a student Start Your Free Trial To Continue Watching As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed. Coming up next: The Executive Branch of the Democratic Republic of Italy You're on a roll. Keep up the good work! Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds 0:01 Introducing the President Add to Add to Add to Want to watch this again later? Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Custom Courses are courses that you create from Study.com lessons. Use them just like other courses to track progress, access quizzes and exams, and share content. Teachers Organize and share selected lessons with your class. Make planning easier by creating your own custom course. Students Create a new course from any lesson page or your dashboard. From any lesson page: Click "Add to" located below the video player and follow the prompts to name your course and save your lesson. From your dashboard: Click on the "Custom Courses" tab, then click "Create course". Next, go to any lesson page and begin adding lessons. Edit your Custom Course directly from your dashboard.

Personalize: Name your Custom Course and add an optional description or learning objective. Organize: Create chapters to group lesson within your course. Remove and reorder chapters and lessons at any time. Share your Custom Course or assign lessons and chapters. Teacher Edition: Share or assign lessons and chapters by clicking the "Teacher" tab on the lesson or chapter page you want to assign. Students' quiz scores and video views will be trackable in your "Teacher" tab. Premium Edition: You can share your Custom Course by copying and pasting the course URL. Only Study.com members will be able to access the entire course. Create an account to start this course today Try it free for 5 days! Lesson Transcript Instructor: Amy Troolin Amy has MA degrees in History, English, and Theology. She has taught college English and religious education classes and currently works as a freelance writer. In this lesson, we will look closely at the president of the Republic of Italy. We will focus especially on the president's election, role, and daily duties. Introducing the President Buon giorno! My name in Antonio, and I'm the secretary to il Presidente, the president of the Republic of Italy.

He has asked me to speak with you today and to tell you all about his election, his role, and his powers. I'm very proud of my boss, Giorgio Napolitano. He became president in 2006 and was reelected to his office in 2013. This reelection was unprecedented! No other president has ever served two terms. In fact, Parliament actually pleaded with him to take another term, to which Napolitano graciously responded, 'I cannot shun my responsibility towards the nation.' And would you believe it? He was already 87 years old! I believe that this reelection was a very fitting tribute to his long and devoted political career. He served in Parliament, as a government minister, and as a member of the European Union's Parliament for many years before becoming Italy's president. Electing a President But perhaps I digress! I should get on with my task. Let's talk about the election of a president. According to the Italian Constitution, the President of the Republic is elected by the members of Italy's Parliament, along with 58 special electors representing Italy's regions.

Each parliamentarian and elector casts a secret ballot, choosing one candidate from a long list of nominees. If a candidate wins a two-thirds majority of the vote, he or she becomes president. Usually, though, this process is not quite so easy as it may seem. There tend to be many candidates presented by political parties, and only rarely does one of them receive the required two-thirds majority on the first ballot or even the second or third. After three tries, a simple majority of votes will do to elect a president, but sometimes even that is difficult to obtain. In fact, the parliamentarians and electors need, on average, ten ballots to elect a president, and once it took 23 rounds of voting before a candidate finally came out on top. You might also like to know that the qualifications for a president aren't very stringent, at least on paper. A candidate need only be an Italian citizen (with full political and civil rights) age 50 or older. Most often, however, candidates have a great deal of political experience and pull in their political parties.

The President's Role When the parliamentarians and electors finally choose a president, he or she swears an oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic and vows before Parliament to uphold the Italian Constitution. At this point, the president becomes the official head of state for Italy and represents Italy's unity. Further, the president draws together the three branches of the Italian government, for he or she is elected by the Parliament (the legislative branch), appoints the leaders of the executive branch, and serves as the head of the judicial branch. The President's Duties What does this mean for the president on a daily basis? Some people think he is a mere figurehead with no duties at all, but that is not so. My boss is a very busy man! Just listen to this list of his duties. The president of the Republic of Italy: × ICL - Italy Index Italy Index Constitutional Court Editor's Note The current translation of the ICL edition and the following background information and historical data has been provided by Carlo Fusaro . Constitutional Background The text of the Italian Constitution of 1948 has been amended 15 times.

Amendments have affected articles 27 (abolishment of death penalty), 48 (vote by mail), 51 (women participation), 56 , 57, 60 (composition and length of term of the two Houses); 68 (indemnity and immunity of members of Parliament); 79 (amnesties and pardons); 88 (dissolution of the Houses); 96 (impeachment); 114 through 132 (the entire part concerning Regions, Provinces and Municipalities); 134, 135 (composition and length of term of the Constitutional Court). In 1967 articles 10 and 26 have been integrated by a constitutional provision that established that their last paragraphs (which forbid the extradition of a foreigner for political offences) do not apply in case of crimes of genocide. Three Parliamentary Commissions have been convened in 1983-1985, 1992-1994 and 1997-1998 with the task of preparing comprehensive revisions of the 1948 text.

Four amendments have been passed during the Thirteenth Legislature (1996-2001): they concerned the parliamentary representation of Italians living abroad, the devolution of powers to the Regions, the direct election of the Regions' Presidents and the guarantees of fair trial in courts. A constitutional law and one amendment have been passed in the first part of the Fourteenth Legislature (2001-2006): the repealing of transitory provision XIII insofar as it limited the civil rights of the male members and descendants of the House of Savoy (Italy's royal family until 1946) and a new provision meant to foster women participation in politics. On 25-26 June 2006 a national referendum rejected a major Reform Bill which had been approved by the two Chambers in November 2005 (see below). The attempt to revise part II of the Constitution seemed bound to be abandoned or at least postponed indefinitely. In 2012 in order to implement the European Union fiscal compact articles 81, 97, 117, 119 were amended to ensure sound public financial policies.

Once again during the present XVII legislature (2013-2018) efforts are being made to change part II of the Constitution in relation to the role of government in Parliament and the undifferentiated powers and composition of the two Chambers.

History and News 22 February 2013: after being elected leader of the Democratic party, Mr Matteo Renzi, former mayor of Florence, not an MP, forms a new Cabinet supported by the Democratic party and its center and center-right allies; in few weeks a new electoral law is passed by the Chamber and in April a proposal to amend the Italian bicameral system is promptly submitted by the Government to the Senate, bound to change radically; 27 November 2013: after having been convicted with a final sentence for tax fraud, Mr Silvio Berlusconi is ousted from the Senate and is not an MP anymore; his passport is revoked; 29 April 2013: a new Cabinet led by Mr Enrico Letta is formed; its majority includes both the left and the right; constitutional and electoral reforms announced; only M5S does not support it along with the extreme left; in October the Cabinet will loose the support of the PdL party led by Mr Berlusconi.

20 April 2013: Mr Giorgio Napolitano is unexpectedly elected President for a second term, the first time that this happens since 1948; this event signals the deep crisis of the political system incapable to select a new president; 24-25 February 2013: the XVII Parliament is elected; surprising success of a new antiparty movement (Movimento Cinque stelle, M5S) led by a comedian (Mr Giuseppe Grillo) which obtains as much votes as the two main parties (Pd and Pdl); the previously bipolar system becomes tripolar and makes the making of a Cabinet a nightmare; 12 November 2011: Mr Berlusconi resigns; unable to cope with the financial crisis his Cabinet looses its majority in Parliament; within four days a new Cabinet is formed led by Mr Mario Monti, an academic with no party affiliation as all the members of the new Government.

7 May 2008: Mr Berlusconi forms his Fourth Cabinet in a record time of only 23 days after the vote and only 8 days after the first gathering of the two Chambers; in application of a new law, the Cabinet is formed by a record low number of only 22 Ministers and 37 Undersecretaries for a total of 60 (including the President of the Council) compared to 104 who were the members of the previous Prodi Cabinet. 13-14 April 2008: the XVI Parliament is elected; Mr Berlusconi wins a clear majority in both Houses, defeating the new Democratic Part led by Mr Veltroni. Most relevantly only seven parties gain access to Parliament; only five Parliamentary groups are formed and the majority is based upon only two relevant parties (the new Freedom People party and the Northern League). 6 February 2008: President Napolitano dissolves the XV Parliament and call new elections 10 October 2007: Art. 27 of the Constitution is amended by Const. Law 2 October 2007, n. 1 which rules out the death penalty even in case of war.

26 June 2006: with 61.3% nays and 38.7 yes a referendum rejects the constitutional law passed by Parliament in November 2005; 53% of the electors take part. However two of the most advanced Regions have voted in favour (Lombardia, Veneto). 14 June 2006: the late President of the Chamber of Deputies and Senator for life Mr Giorgio Napolitano is elected eleventh President of the Italian Republic. He is voted by the center-left coalition only with 543 votes (54%) at the fourth attempt. 6 May 2006: by a thin majority of merely 25,224 votes in the entire nation (0,066%), the center-left coalition led by Mr Romano Prodi wins a solid majority in the Chamber of Deputies (348 vs. 281, due to the new electoral law) and a very slim one in the Senate (158 vs. 156), defeating the center-right coalition led by former premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Mr Prodi forms his second Cabinet in June; 21 December 2005: Parliament passes a new electoral law featuring proportional representation based upon closed lists combined with a bonus in terms of seats granted to the winning coalition of lists. 16 November 2005: Parliament passes a major reform of part II of the Constitution. 20 February 2003: Article 51 of the Constitution has been amended in order to promote women participation in politics (only 9.2% of the total parliamentary membership were women at that time). 23 October 2002: a constitutional law repealing transitory provision XIII concerning the limitation of the civil rights of the male members of the House of Savoy is published. 7 October 2001: for the first time an extensive constitutional amendment concerning the entire Part V of the Constitution (Regions, Provinces and Municipalities) is approved through popular referendum. 64.2% vote in favour but only 34% of those entitled to, do vote.

13 May 2001: The center-right coalition called the House of Freedoms' wins a solid majority in both Houses (365 out of 630 in the Chamber, 177 out of 315 in the Senate) and on June 11, Mr Silvio Berlusconi, media tycoon and founder of Italy's largest party (Forza Italia), forms his second Cabinet; 13 May 1999: Mr Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (independent) is elected tenth President of the Republic by a large majority of representatives belonging to both majority and opposition. He obtains 707 votes out of 1111. 18 April 1999: 91% of voters vote in favor of the suppression of the proportional part of the electoral law for the Chamber, but only 49.6% of those entitled to vote do (instead of 50% + 1 as required by the Constitution in order to render a law-repealing referendum valid) and the referendum is void.

21 April 1996: Second elections with the new electoral laws: victory of the Olive Tree coalition led by Mr Romano Prodi who becomes premier. 27 March 1994: First elections with the new electoral laws (the center-right coalition prevails but it won't be able to govern for more than 7 months due to internal quarrels); first cabinet led by Mr Silvio Berlusconi; 18 April 1993: Referendum followed by majoritarian reform of Italian electoral laws. 28 May 1992: Christian Democrat Mr Oscar Luigi Scalfaro is elected ninth President of the Republic. 17 February 1992: "Clean Hands" gets going (large judicial investigation on illegal financing of politics and corruption). 9 June 1991: A massive "yes" changes the electoral law for the Chamber of deputies. 2 May 1974: The first referendum in Italian constitutional history is held (the law which allows divorce is confirmed by a majority of 59.3%). 7 June 1970: Regional decentralization becomes effective with the first regional elections.

14 June 1956: First decision by the newly summoned Constitutional Court. 1 January 1948: The new Constitution enters into force. 11 December 1947: With 453 votes in favour and 62 against, the new Constitution is passed. 2 June 1946: Victory of the republican option in the referendum on the form of State (12.717.923 votes for the Republic; 10.719.284 for the Monarchy); women vote for the first time; the same day the Constituent Assembly is elected. 17 march 1861: proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy.

Giorgio Napolitano is re-elected as the President of an Italy in turmoil Giorgio Napolitano is re-elected as the President of an Italy in turmoil Giorgio Napolitano is re-elected as the President of an Italy in turmoil 23/04/2013 - Results If the Italians had been able to elect the president of the Republic by direct universal suffrage they would have appointed former European Commissioner for Fisheries, Consumer Policy and Health (1995-1999), Emma Bonino. This is what the polls showed in any event on the eve of the election of the Head of State. But in Italy the head of State is elected by a college of grand electors. Traditionally the political parties appoint a person on whom they have come to a pre-vote agreement to this post. But the parliamentary elections on 24th and 25th February last caused a far reaching political crisis and it was only after six rounds of voting and many dramatic turns of events that the grand electors responsible for appointing the head of State finally re-elected outgoing President Giorgio Napolitano as President of the Republic of Italy. This was an all time first.

We should recall that more than eight weeks after the parliamentary elections Italy still has no government. The Democratic Party (PD) led by Pier Luigi Bersani enjoys a majority in the Chamber of Deputies but not in the Senate. Since Italy is a country with bicameral equality (both chambers enjoy the same power), a party (or a coalition of parties) must absolutely hold the majority in both of the chambers if it wants to govern. The Five Stars Movement (M5S) led by Beppe Grillo has rejected forming any alliance with the left and the latter has rejected the offer made by the People's Freedom Party (PdL) led by Silvio Berlusconi. For his part, the latter has said he supports the formation of a grand coalition (governissimo) with the left. "Either we form a strong, stable government or we should give the choice back to the Italians and have them vote again in June," declared Silvio Berlusconi on 13th April last. "No grand coalition" answered Pier Luigi Bersani who says "that this would not be the right answer to give to the country's problems." An eventful presidential election The presidential election started in Italy on 18th April last.

Before the first round of voting the Democratic Party led by Pier Luigi Bersani and the PdL led by Silvio Berlusconi agreed on the name of Franco Marini, former Secretary General of the Italian Confederation of Workers' Unions (CISL). "Franco Marini is the most likely candidate to bring about the greatest consensus. He is a straightforward, generous person, one of those who built the centre left associated with the work and social spheres. Franco Marini will be able to ensure the convergence of both centre right and centre left forces," declared the leftwing leader. For his part the Cavaliere said, "We believe that this is the best possible solution at this time. He is a positive, serious person the choice of whom does not mean defeat for us. He has always behaved loyally and decently." Silvio Berlusconi said he was prepared to support a candidate from the left to the presidency of the Republic if that person was not hostile to him, and if he would guarantee him legal immunity. Indeed Mr Berlusconi faces prosecution on three counts: tax fraud, abuse of power and the prostitution of minors. It was in vain.

In the first round Franco Marini won 521 votes, academic and former leftwing MP Stefano Rodota, put forward by M5S won 240. One hundred of the grand electors voted blank or invalidated their vote. "Voting for Franco Marini would not be doing the country a favour," declared the Mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi (PD) who qualified the former union leader as "the candidate from the last century". In the second and third round of voting, in which the candidate absolutely has to win a 2/3 majority of the vote in order to be elected, the Democratic Party voted blank hoping to reach the fourth round without a victor to then witness victory for its candidate with an absolute majority. But because it had no candidate the PdL did the same. In the fourth round, Pier Luigi Bersani changed his strategy and rather than continue looking for an agreement with the right he said that he wanted former President of the European Commission (1999-2004) and former President of the Council (1996-1998 and 2006-2008) Romano Prodi to become the President of the Republic.

This was an unacceptable choice for Silvio Berlusconi: Romano Prodi is indeed the only politician to have beaten the Cavaliere twice: in the parliamentary elections on 21st April 1996 and 9th and 10th April 2006. For its part M5S still supported Stefano Rodota. In spite of the agreement made on the left Romano Prodi only won 395 votes in the fourth round ie 100 less votes in comparison with the number of votes held by the left and 9 less than the simple majority in force in the fourth round. Stefano Rodota won 213, outgoing Interior Minister Anna Maria Cancellieri, supported by the Civic Choice List of outgoing President of the Council Mario Monti 76 and former President of the Council (1998-2000), Massimo d'Alema, 15. Only 732 grand electors took part in the vote, since the PdL asked its members to abstain. "They chose Romano Prodi and we believe that this was an act of aggression," declared Fabrizio Cicchitto, MP.

"Romano Prodi is not neutral, he is a man who divides. This means that the fundamental conditions are not there to come to an agreement on government," stressed Renato Brunetta, leader of the PdL's parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies. After the fourth round, which was a real setback for Bersani the leftwing leader, Matteo Renzi, who was against the former president of the Council, said "Romano Prodi no longer exists as a candidate." Finally in the evening of 19th April Romano Prodi, who was on a trip to Bamako as part of his work as UN Special Envoy for Mali and the Sahel and therefore absent during the election, announced that he was withdrawing as a candidate. On 20th April during the 5th round of voting the main political parties decided not to participate (PdL and PD) or to vote blank (Northern League). In all 462 grand electors voted blank or invalidated their vote. In the end the Democratic Party leader Pier Luigi Bersani announced that he would resign as leader of the PD as soon as the new President of the Republic was elected.

"One in four of us is a traitor, I find this unacceptable," he declared. Finally on 20th April there was a dramatic turn of events: outgoing President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano accepted to stand for a second mandate as head of the country under the pressure of most of the political parties (PdL, PD, Civic Choice List and the Northern League) who admitted they were incapable of appointing his successor. "I believe that it is my duty to make myself available as was requested of me. I am moved by the feeling that I cannot withdraw from the responsibility I owe to the nation and I am confident that this will be matched by a similar collective assumption of responsibility," declared Giorgio Napolitano who however had qualified his decision not to seek a second presidential mandate as "irrevocable". The outgoing head of State was re-elected by 738 votes in the sixth round of voting. "It is an important day for our Republic. I thank President Giorgio Napolitano for his sense of duty and his personal and political generosity which led him to making further commitment at a time as difficult and as uncertain as this," declared Silvio Berlusconi.

Those supporting M5S protested vehemently and shouted "Idiots, idiots!" and even "vShame![/i]" Beppe Grillo condemned the fact that Giorgio Napolitano was running as a candidate, which he qualified a "coup d'Etat", calling on his supporters to demonstrate outside of parliament. "I really do hope that in the next few weeks and over the next few days all of the parties will assume their duty with the aim of consolidating the State's institutions," indicated Giorgio Napolitano in his first declaration after his re-election. Observers of Italian political life agree that the head of State might resign as soon as the present political crisis is solved or is at least more settled. The Presidential Function in Italy: powers and modes of election In Italy the position of President of the Republic is a mainly honorary. The Guarantor of the Constitution and of the country's unity, he has two main powers: he can dissolve Parliament (except in the last quarter of his term in office) and he can reject a bill put forward by the deputies or the senators for two reasons (if he deems that the text is anti-constitutional or if he believes that it is not adequately funded).

Carlo Azeglio Ciampi used this power against a bill on the concentration of the media in 2003 and a second time against a reform of the legal system in 2004. Giorgio Napolitano demonstrated the importance of his role in November 2011 when after Silvio Berlusconi's resignation he decided not to convene early parliamentary elections and chose to appoint Mario Monti to the presidency of the Council. "Democracy assassinated, Giorgio Napolitano transforms Italy into a Presidential Republic" read the headlines in the daily Il Giornale, which it happens belongs Silvio Berlusconi. The President of the Italian Republic is elected by secret ballot for seven years by a college of grand electors comprising 630 members of the Chamber of Deputies, 315 senators and 4 life senators, and 58 representatives of the country's 20 regions (3 per region except for the Aoste Valley which only appoints one) ie a total of 1007. In the first three rounds a candidate has to win at least 2/3 of the vote ie 671 votes.

In the fourth round the simple majority (504 votes) is enough. Tradition has it that the President of the Republic should be a man of consensus who rallies people beyond the political parties. He usually rallies the votes of most of the grand electors to his name. In 2006 however the presidential election was greatly contested and Giorgio Napolitano was elected by the votes of the leftwing grand electors only. Finally the head of State only traditionally governs for one term in office. "None of the nine Presidents of the Republic who preceded me have ever been re-elected. I think that it has become a significant custom that should not be broken. In my opinion the renewal of a long seven year mandate is not really adapted to the republican features of our country," indicated Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, answering a number of personalities from the left and the right who in 2006 wanted him to stand again for Presidency. Giorgio Napolitano is therefore the first Italian head of State to have been re-elected to lead the peninsula Soon to be 88 and originally from Naples he joined the Communist Party (PCI) after the Second World War.

Elected as MP in 1953 he has always featured amongst the party's moderates. Former leader of the Chamber of Deputies (1992-1994), he was Interior Minister in the first government led by Romano Prodi (1996-1998), then he was MEP (1999-2004). In 2005, he was appointed by his predecessor Carlo Azeglio Ciampi as a life Senator in reward for the services he made to the State. On 8th May 2006 he became the first former communist to accede to the position of President. The Future of Italy After failing to form a government following the elections on 24th and 25th February last the Democratic Party did not succeed in promoting the election of its candidate to the presidency of the Republic. It has also lost its leader since Pier Luigi Bersani announced that he was resigning as head of the party.

"The only advice we can give to the Democratic Party is to avoid further parliamentary elections at all costs because it will be quite easy for its rivals to take the pickings from a party that is firmly pointing towards collective political suicide," published Antonio Padellaro, director of the newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano on 20th April. "The Republic is hanging over a void" read the headlines of the Italian daily the Corriere della Sera. Finally La Repubblica condemned the "mediocrity of a leading group and of a parliamentary class that no longer has any response, not even the instinct to survive." Francesco Marchiano, an editorialist for the Huffington Post Italia, the presidential election was "one of the worst ever seen in Italy." It is now up to Giorgio Napolitano to work towards finding the most favourable solution to the political crisis that the peninsula is experiencing. Will the President of the Republic ask the parties to try and form a government or will he decide to convene elections for the 47 million Italian voters?

The Chairman of the General Confederation for Italian Industry (Confindustria), Giorgio Squinzi, maintained that the "50 days plus of total inertia since the parliamentary elections on 24th and 25th February have led to a one point contraction in Italy's GDP." According to the most recent poll undertaken for the RAI by SWG and published on 5th April last, if there were to be another election the PD would win 25.5% of the vote, the M5S 25.4%, and the PdL 25%. Silvio Berlusconi has already said that he would stand for the Presidency of the Council if there were new elections, "a great, yet rather painful responsibility that I cannot turn away from," he indicated. Publishing Director: Pascale JOANNIN Italy: Government in Italy, President, parliament, political parties and elections, Italy was a monarchy from Articles Italy was a monarchy from its unification in the second half of the 19th century until 1946, when it became a parliamentary republic following a national referendum.

On 1st January 1948, it adopted a constitutional charter, which defines the political and civil liberties of citizens and the principles of government. Italy is headed by a President who appoints a Prime Minister, the elected head of government. The seat of government is Rome, where the President resides in the Palazzo del Quirinale, the chamber of deputies sits in the Palazzo Montecitorio and the senate occupies the Palazzo Madama. President The head of state is the President of the republic, who (at least in theory) represents the nation’s unity and ensures compliance with the constitution (under the direction of the constitutional court). He is elected every seven years by a college comprising both chambers of parliament and three representatives from each region. The minimum age for presidential candidates is 50. The current President, Giorgio Napolitano, took office in 2006. The President’s duties include appointing the Prime Minister, promulgating laws and decrees, authorising the presentation of government bills in parliament and, with parliamentary authorisation, ratifying treaties and declaring war.

He may dissolve parliament (except during the last six months of his term of office), either on his own initiative in consultation with the presidents of both chambers or at the request of the government, and he has the power to call special sessions of parliament and delay legislation. Some of these acts must be ratified by the government. The President commands the armed forces and presides over the Supreme Council of Defence and the Superior Council of Magistrates. Whenever a government is defeated or resigns, it’s his duty (after consulting eminent politicians and party leaders) to appoint the person most likely to win the confidence of parliament, although the candidate is usually designated by the majority parties and the President has limited choice. Parliament The Italian parliament ( parlamento) is bicameral, consisting of two chambers or assemblies: the Senate of the Republic ( Senato della Repubblica) with 315 members (called senators) and the Chamber of Deputies ( Camera dei Deputati) with 630 members (deputies). The assemblies enjoy equal power and are both elected by universal suffrage.

Senators represent Italy’s 20 regions whereas deputies come from 26 constituencies, but the most important difference between the chambers is the minimum age required for the electorate and the candidates: 18 and 25 respectively for deputies and 25 and 40 for senators. Parliament is elected every five years, although few Italian governments run their course, the average length of office being less than a year. The senators and deputies must declare to which parliamentary group they intend to belong, and any political group consisting of at least 10 senators and 20 deputies has the right to be represented in parliament. The government is appointed by the President and is led by the president of the council of ministers ( il Presidente del Consiglio), more commonly referred to as the Prime Minister. Although the government carries out the executive functions of the state, in emergencies it also has powers to approve laws by decree. Parliament can be dissolved by the President, e.g. when the Prime Minister loses a vote of no confidence. Ministerial appointments are negotiated by the parties constituting the government majority and each new government must receive a vote of confidence in both houses of parliament within ten days of its appointment.

If at any time the government fails to maintain the confidence of either house, it must resign. Splits in the coalition of two or more parties that have united to form a government have caused most resignations in the past. The most important function of parliament is ordinary legislation. Bills may be presented in parliament by the government, by individual members, or by bodies such as the National Council for Economy and Labour, various regional councils, or communes, as well as by petition of 50,000 citizens of the electorate or through a referendum. Bills must be approved by both houses before they become law; thus, whenever one house introduces an amendment to a draft approved by the other house, the latter must approve the amended draft. The law comes into force when published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale.

Political Parties From the end of the Second World War to the early ’90s, Italy had a multi-party system dominated by two parties, the Christian Democratic Party (Partito della Democrazia Cristiana/DC) and the Italian Communist Party (Partito Comunista Italiano/PCI), with a number of other small but influential parties, ranging from the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (Movimento Sociale Italiano/MSI) on the right to the Italian Socialist Party (Partito Socialista Italiano/PSI) on the left, while a number of small secular parties occupied the centre. The DC was the dominant governing party in various alliances with smaller parties of the centre and left, and the principal opposition parties were the PCI and the MSI. The Italian party system underwent a radical transformation in the early ’90s as a result of both international and national events. The party system was radically altered by the fall of communism, by a wave of judicial prosecutions of corrupt officials that involved most Italian political parties, and by the fact that in 1991 the Communist Party became the Democratic Party of the Left (Partito Democratico della Sinistra/PDS).

The DC, battered by scandal, was replaced by a much smaller organisation, the Italian Popular Party (Partito Popolare Italiano/PPI), which itself virtually disappeared after elections in 1994. Meanwhile, three new parties arose and began to dominate the political right: Forza Italia (FI), a vaguely neo-liberal alliance created in 1994 by the media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi; the Northern League (Lega Nord/LN), formed in 1991, a federalist and fiscal-reform movement with large support in the northern regions; and the National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale/AN), which succeeded the MSI in 1994, but whose political platform renounced its fascist past. Thus, the Italian political spectrum, which had previously been dominated by parties of the centre, became polarised between parties of the right and left. Regional Government For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 20 regions, which roughly correspond to the historical regions of the country. The regions are further divided into 110 provinces ( provinci province, three of which will come into being in 2009), which are further subdivided into town councils or communes ( comuni).

The five ‘special status’ regions ( regioni a statuo speciale) of Friuli-Venezia-Giuila, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige and Val d’Aosta are autonomous or semi-autonomous due to particular ethnic or geographical considerations. They have special powers granted under the constitution and regional assemblies (similar to parliaments) with a wide range of administrative and economic powers. Italy’s other 15 regions have little autonomy compared with, for example, those in Germany or Spain. Participation in national government is a principal function of the regions and regional councils may initiate parliamentary legislation, propose referenda, and appoint three delegates to assist in presidential elections. With regard to regional legislation, the five ‘special’ regions have exclusive authority in certain fields such as agriculture, forestry and town planning, while the other regions have authority within the limits of principles established by state laws. The legislative powers of the regions are subject to certain constitutional limitations, the most important of which is that regional acts may not conflict with national interests. The regions can also enact legislation necessary for the enforcement of state laws and have the right to acquire property and to collect certain revenues and taxes. Regional and local elections are held every five years.

Communes The organs of the commune ( comune), the smallest local government unit, are the popularly elected communal council, the communal committee or executive body and the mayor ( sindaco). The communes have the power to levy and collect local taxes and have their own police ( vigili urbani), although their powers are much less than those exercised by the national police. The communes issue ordinances and run certain public health services, and are responsible for such services as public transport, refuse collection and street lighting. Regions have some control over the activity of the communes and communal councils may be dissolved for reasons of public order or for continued neglect of their duties. The mayor of a commune, in his capacity as an agent of the central government, registers births, deaths, marriages, and migrations, maintains public order (although in practice this is dealt with by the national police), and can, in an emergency, issue ordinances concerning public health, town planning and the local police. An EU national is entitled to vote in communal elections and stand as a candidate. Elections All citizens aged 18 and over may vote in elections for the Chamber of Deputies; the age limit is 25 for the Senate.

The turnout for elections in Italy is the highest in the EU in all elections, reaching well over 80 per cent of the electorate for parliamentary elections. For almost half a century after the Second World War, Italy’s electoral system was based on proportional representation, a system in which seats in an elected body are awarded to political parties according to the proportion of the total vote they receive. Between 1993 and 1995, however, several changes were made by national legislation and popular referenda. At national level, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are now elected by a combination of proportionality and plurality. Seventy-five per cent of the seats in these two chambers are filled from single-member districts by individual candidates who win the largest number of votes in each district. The other 25 per cent of the seats are awarded to candidates from party lists on a proportional basis. The number of votes obtained by the winner in single-member districts is fully (for senators) or partially (for deputies) subtracted before allocating proportional seats, thus introducing a further element of proportionality. In regional elections, voters cast two ballots.

The first is cast in a contest for 80 per cent of the seats in the regional council, which are awarded on a proportional basis. The second ballot is a plurality vote; the regional coalition that wins a plurality is awarded all the remaining seats as well as the presidency of the regional government. Split voting is allowed. In provincial elections, only one vote is cast. If a single provincial list wins more than 50 per cent of the votes, seats are divided among all the lists according to their proportion of the vote, and the presidency goes to the head of the winning list. Otherwise, a run-off election must take place between the two most successful lists, the winner taking 60 per cent of the seats. A similar system is employed in municipal elections in cities with more than 15,000 inhabitants. In this case, however, two ballots are cast, one for the mayor and one for the council. Split voting is permitted. In smaller cities, only one ballot is cast and the winning list is awarded two-thirds of the seats as well as the mayoralty.

Referenda An important feature of the Italian constitution is that referenda must be held – in order to repeal laws or executive orders (except with regard to anything concerning the state budget or the ratification of international treaties) – at the request of 500,000 signatories or five regional councils. Referenda have been called extensively since the ’70s and have resulted a wide range of institutional and civic reforms. Important referenda held in the past include those on abortion, divorce, nuclear power and electoral reform. Some regions also have a provision for holding referenda. The constitution also provides that 50,000 members of the electorate may jointly present to parliament a draft bill. European Parliamentary Elections EU nationals over 18 who are resident in Italy are permitted to vote in European elections for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). If you wish to exercise your right to vote, you must request an application from the mayor of the municipality in which you’re resident not less than 90 days before polling day. You may be required to show your identity documents and give your last address in your home EU country in order to verify that you’re an EU citizen.

As far as elections to the European Parliament are concerned, you lose the right to vote in your EU country of origin if you choose to vote in Italy. On 1st January 1948, it adopted a constitutional charter, which defines the political and civil liberties of citizens and the principles of government. Italy is headed by a President who appoints a Prime Minister, the elected head of government. The seat of government is Rome, where the President resides in the Palazzo del Quirinale, the chamber of deputies sits in the Palazzo Montecitorio and the senate occupies the Palazzo Madama. President The head of state is the President of the republic, who (at least in theory) represents the nation’s unity and ensures compliance with the constitution (under the direction of the constitutional court). He is elected every seven years by a college comprising both chambers of parliament and three representatives from each region. The minimum age for presidential candidates is 50. The current President, Giorgio Napolitano, took office in 2006.

The President’s duties include appointing the Prime Minister, promulgating laws and decrees, authorising the presentation of government bills in parliament and, with parliamentary authorisation, ratifying treaties and declaring war. He may dissolve parliament (except during the last six months of his term of office), either on his own initiative in consultation with the presidents of both chambers or at the request of the government, and he has the power to call special sessions of parliament and delay legislation. Some of these acts must be ratified by the government. The President commands the armed forces and presides over the Supreme Council of Defence and the Superior Council of Magistrates. Whenever a government is defeated or resigns, it’s his duty (after consulting eminent politicians and party leaders) to appoint the person most likely to win the confidence of parliament, although the candidate is usually designated by the majority parties and the President has limited choice. Parliament The Italian parliament ( parlamento) is bicameral, consisting of two chambers or assemblies: the Senate of the Republic ( Senato della Repubblica) with 315 members (called senators) and the Chamber of Deputies ( Camera dei Deputati) with 630 members (deputies).

The assemblies enjoy equal power and are both elected by universal suffrage. Senators represent Italy’s 20 regions whereas deputies come from 26 constituencies, but the most important difference between the chambers is the minimum age required for the electorate and the candidates: 18 and 25 respectively for deputies and 25 and 40 for senators. Parliament is elected every five years, although few Italian governments run their course, the average length of office being less than a year. The senators and deputies must declare to which parliamentary group they intend to belong, and any political group consisting of at least 10 senators and 20 deputies has the right to be represented in parliament. The government is appointed by the President and is led by the president of the council of ministers ( il Presidente del Consiglio), more commonly referred to as the Prime Minister. Although the government carries out the executive functions of the state, in emergencies it also has powers to approve laws by decree. Parliament can be dissolved by the President, e.g. when the Prime Minister loses a vote of no confidence.

Ministerial appointments are negotiated by the parties constituting the government majority and each new government must receive a vote of confidence in both houses of parliament within ten days of its appointment. If at any time the government fails to maintain the confidence of either house, it must resign. Splits in the coalition of two or more parties that have united to form a government have caused most resignations in the past. The most important function of parliament is ordinary legislation. Bills may be presented in parliament by the government, by individual members, or by bodies such as the National Council for Economy and Labour, various regional councils, or communes, as well as by petition of 50,000 citizens of the electorate or through a referendum. Bills must be approved by both houses before they become law; thus, whenever one house introduces an amendment to a draft approved by the other house, the latter must approve the amended draft. The law comes into force when published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale.

Political Parties From the end of the Second World War to the early ’90s, Italy had a multi-party system dominated by two parties, the Christian Democratic Party (Partito della Democrazia Cristiana/DC) and the Italian Communist Party (Partito Comunista Italiano/PCI), with a number of other small but influential parties, ranging from the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (Movimento Sociale Italiano/MSI) on the right to the Italian Socialist Party (Partito Socialista Italiano/PSI) on the left, while a number of small secular parties occupied the centre. The DC was the dominant governing party in various alliances with smaller parties of the centre and left, and the principal opposition parties were the PCI and the MSI. The Italian party system underwent a radical transformation in the early ’90s as a result of both international and national events. The party system was radically altered by the fall of communism, by a wave of judicial prosecutions of corrupt officials that involved most Italian political parties, and by the fact that in 1991 the Communist Party became the Democratic Party of the Left (Partito Democratico della Sinistra/PDS).

The DC, battered by scandal, was replaced by a much smaller organisation, the Italian Popular Party (Partito Popolare Italiano/PPI), which itself virtually disappeared after elections in 1994. Meanwhile, three new parties arose and began to dominate the political right: Forza Italia (FI), a vaguely neo-liberal alliance created in 1994 by the media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi; the Northern League (Lega Nord/LN), formed in 1991, a federalist and fiscal-reform movement with large support in the northern regions; and the National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale/AN), which succeeded the MSI in 1994, but whose political platform renounced its fascist past. Thus, the Italian political spectrum, which had previously been dominated by parties of the centre, became polarised between parties of the right and left. Regional Government For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 20 regions, which roughly correspond to the historical regions of the country. The regions are further divided into 110 provinces ( provinci province, three of which will come into being in 2009), which are further subdivided into town councils or communes ( comuni).

The five ‘special status’ regions ( regioni a statuo speciale) of Friuli-Venezia-Giuila, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige and Val d’Aosta are autonomous or semi-autonomous due to particular ethnic or geographical considerations. They have special powers granted under the constitution and regional assemblies (similar to parliaments) with a wide range of administrative and economic powers. Italy’s other 15 regions have little autonomy compared with, for example, those in Germany or Spain. Participation in national government is a principal function of the regions and regional councils may initiate parliamentary legislation, propose referenda, and appoint three delegates to assist in presidential elections. With regard to regional legislation, the five ‘special’ regions have exclusive authority in certain fields such as agriculture, forestry and town planning, while the other regions have authority within the limits of principles established by state laws. The legislative powers of the regions are subject to certain constitutional limitations, the most important of which is that regional acts may not conflict with national interests. The regions can also enact legislation necessary for the enforcement of state laws and have the right to acquire property and to collect certain revenues and taxes. Regional and local elections are held every five years.

Communes The organs of the commune ( comune), the smallest local government unit, are the popularly elected communal council, the communal committee or executive body and the mayor ( sindaco). The communes have the power to levy and collect local taxes and have their own police ( vigili urbani), although their powers are much less than those exercised by the national police. The communes issue ordinances and run certain public health services, and are responsible for such services as public transport, refuse collection and street lighting. Regions have some control over the activity of the communes and communal councils may be dissolved for reasons of public order or for continued neglect of their duties. The mayor of a commune, in his capacity as an agent of the central government, registers births, deaths, marriages, and migrations, maintains public order (although in practice this is dealt with by the national police), and can, in an emergency, issue ordinances concerning public health, town planning and the local police. An EU national is entitled to vote in communal elections and stand as a candidate. Elections All citizens aged 18 and over may vote in elections for the Chamber of Deputies; the age limit is 25 for the Senate.

The turnout for elections in Italy is the highest in the EU in all elections, reaching well over 80 per cent of the electorate for parliamentary elections. For almost half a century after the Second World War, Italy’s electoral system was based on proportional representation, a system in which seats in an elected body are awarded to political parties according to the proportion of the total vote they receive. Between 1993 and 1995, however, several changes were made by national legislation and popular referenda. At national level, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are now elected by a combination of proportionality and plurality. Seventy-five per cent of the seats in these two chambers are filled from single-member districts by individual candidates who win the largest number of votes in each district. The other 25 per cent of the seats are awarded to candidates from party lists on a proportional basis. The number of votes obtained by the winner in single-member districts is fully (for senators) or partially (for deputies) subtracted before allocating proportional seats, thus introducing a further element of proportionality. In regional elections, voters cast two ballots.

The first is cast in a contest for 80 per cent of the seats in the regional council, which are awarded on a proportional basis. The second ballot is a plurality vote; the regional coalition that wins a plurality is awarded all the remaining seats as well as the presidency of the regional government. Split voting is allowed. In provincial elections, only one vote is cast. If a single provincial list wins more than 50 per cent of the votes, seats are divided among all the lists according to their proportion of the vote, and the presidency goes to the head of the winning list. Otherwise, a run-off election must take place between the two most successful lists, the winner taking 60 per cent of the seats. A similar system is employed in municipal elections in cities with more than 15,000 inhabitants. In this case, however, two ballots are cast, one for the mayor and one for the council. Split voting is permitted. In smaller cities, only one ballot is cast and the winning list is awarded two-thirds of the seats as well as the mayoralty.

Referenda An important feature of the Italian constitution is that referenda must be held – in order to repeal laws or executive orders (except with regard to anything concerning the state budget or the ratification of international treaties) – at the request of 500,000 signatories or five regional councils. Referenda have been called extensively since the ’70s and have resulted a wide range of institutional and civic reforms. Important referenda held in the past include those on abortion, divorce, nuclear power and electoral reform. Some regions also have a provision for holding referenda. The constitution also provides that 50,000 members of the electorate may jointly present to parliament a draft bill. European Parliamentary Elections EU nationals over 18 who are resident in Italy are permitted to vote in European elections for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). If you wish to exercise your right to vote, you must request an application from the mayor of the municipality in which you’re resident not less than 90 days before polling day. You may be required to show your identity documents and give your last address in your home EU country in order to verify that you’re an EU citizen.

As far as elections to the European Parliament are concerned, you lose the right to vote in your EU country of origin if you choose to vote in Italy.

Question: Who was elected President of the Italian Republic in May 2006?
Answer: Giorgio Napolitano